Fishing plug casting device



Dec. 16, 1958 J. A. JOHNSON FISHING PLUG CASTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1957 INVENTOR. Jess A. Johnson Dec. 16, 1958 J. A. JOHNSON FISHING PLUG CASTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1957 m T m V m ATTORNEY Jess A. Johnson United States atent FISHING -PLUG GASTIN G DEVICE Jess A. Johnson, BryanyTex.

. Application November 15,1957; Serial"N:69,, 6,657

-:-4 C1aims. (Cl. =,43:19)

'I'his invention relates; to a'fishing plug castingdevice,

and itgconcerns more-particularly apiston actuated device, operable bygas 'pressu re acting upon thepiston, :capableof catap'ulting: a plug loosely supportedon the ,devicein response to the -movement" of the piston.

The invention will be readily understood" by referring .to the iollowing description and the accompanying draw- ;ing, in which:

Figure 1; is a longitudinal view of a fishing plug casting device embodying :the invention, showing partly in section, taken on a median line, a plug attached to the cast- :ing device in firingposition;

Figure.f2"is aqfragmentary longitudinal view, partly in section taken on a median line, of ,a' portion of the ap- .paratus shown in Figured, showing the manner in'which "the plug is reeled in, onthe end of the fishing line, where- 'hy'it automatically attaches itself to the casting device infiring position;

" Figurelis a fragmentary longitudinal view, partly-in -section;taken on a medianline, showing "anotherform of plug and means for attachingthe plug to the casting (device;

"Figure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal view, partly in section taken on amedian line, showing anotherform or plug and means for. attaching plug supported upon the holder and attached tothe castingfdevice in firing position;

" Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal view, partly --in section taken onv a median line, showing a plug'supported uponanother form of holder and attachedto the casting device;

, Figure 8 isa longitudinal view, partly in section-taken on a; median line, of the casting, device;

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view,fon an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 9-9 of Figure8;

Figure'lO is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 10--10 of Figure 8; and v Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the lines 11"11 of Figure8.

'Referringtothe drawing, the casting device of ,the invention includes an elongated tubular housing, which is designated generally by the numeralrl. The housing 1 is formed by a pair of elongated tubular members, num- ,bered 2, and 3, which are arranged end to, end and connected by a tubular connecting member 4.

The tubular member 3 is of smaller ,diameterthan the tubular member .2, and is positioned eccentrically rela- .tive'thereto. 'The connecting member 4 is enlarged internally and externally intermediate'its ends to conform tothehrelative sizes of the tubular members 2 and.3.

The connecting member 4-is externally threaded at for 2,864,197 Pa t ented Dec. 1 958 engagement by" the tubular member-=2," and is internally "threaded, at 6 for engagement by the tubular member 3.

The connecting member4 forms a partial closuretor .one end of the ,tubularmember Z, and its opposite end "is closed" by an externally-threaded plug-f7. "Theplug7 has a normally closed threaded opening and a check valve incorporated-therein, wherebyit may be connected to a source of compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide,-' whieh is to be introduced into -the-tubular-member -2'foruse as a propella nt for the casting device. Plugs of the type -described are commonly used in small arms," for example,

for the introduction of compressed gas.

A cylindrical plug 8 is positioned in the tub ular-member'"2 intermediate"its-ends,- and is-secured 'therein' by friction fit. ,The space within thetubularmemberj}-betweenjthe plugs7 and '8forms a storage chamber for .compressed gas. Ajfluid passage- 9 is; formed inthe plug 8 and extends through it ,diagonally'from pne end to'the other. The fluid passage-'9 terminates at one end in; a threaded opening 10, which; is formed in the plug-8 opposite'the, connecting membe1 4, and in alignment Withthe tubular member 3. "The opposite end of'the fluid passage 9 terminatesin a valved opening ll-which is positioned eccentrically of, the plug 8 opposite theplug 7.

, Anjelongated cylinder -12., which has: a-piston 13 reciprocable therein, is positioned eccentrically within the tubularrnember 2 and the connecting member 4,- and is externally threaded at one end forengagement-with the ithreaded openingjlll of the, plug 8. The opposite end of the cylinder :12 is received in the adjacentend Of'the :tubular. member 3.

A valve disc"14, whichis normally seated inthe' opening 11 of the plug '8, is connected to one end of avalve stem 15, which extends "through an opening; provided thereforin the plug 8, parallel to the cylinder 12. -A compressionspring 16, which surrounds the end ofthe valve'stem 15 opposite the valve disc '14, acts uponthe plug 8 and the adjacent end of the valve stem-15 to yieldably urge the valve disc 14 in, engagement withits seat.

The valve disc 14 is normally seated in the opening-11 due to the pressure differential on opposite sidesthereof, so that the spring 16 may be omitted if desired.

"The arrangement is suchthat compressed gas'is admitted to the cylinder-12; through the fluid passage-9-, to thereby actuate'the piston13, upon moving-the valve stem 15 to'the le ft,vas'shown injFigure 8, to thereby unseat'the valve disc 14. The speed With which; the piston'13 is pro- .pelled through the cylinder 12,- which determines the-"distance,which' the plug is catapulted from ;,the casting device,, as hereinafter described, varies -;directly with the 1 initial force which is applied to the valve-stem -15,to unseat the valve disc 14, which controls the degree of opening of the valve"disc 14 as. well, as the speed with which it is opened. j It is desirable thatthe valve disc .14 be opened instantly and to a degree suflicient to supply momentarily the gas pressure necessary to actuate' the, p ston j 13. Thereafter thevalve disc 14 should be closed quickly, to.conserve,gas.

The outside diameter of the cy1inder 12 is reduced intermediate its ends to form an external shoulder 17 facing the plug 8. A cylindrical element 18, which is received in the tubular member'2 and'slidably engages the inner walLthereof, has an eccentric bore 19,which surrounds, and slidably. engages the cylinder'12. '"fThe bore 19 iseenla rged intermediate 1 its ends to'form. an internal shoulder 20 facing the external "shoulder 17 'of the cylinder12. A compression springZl, which surrounds the cylinder- 12 and is disposed partly in the bore 19 of the element'.18, acts ,upon the Qpposedshouldersjfl and 20 .whereby a longitudinal thrust is imparted to the element 18, to advance it relative to the plug 8. and the valve stem 15, to thereby open the valve 14; upon compressing the spring 21, by advancing the element 18 relative thereto, and thereafter releasing the element 18.

A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves 22 are formed in the peripheral surface of the cylindrical element 18 for selective engagement by a detent formed on one end of a lever 23, whereby the spring 21 may be compressed to a greater or less degree, by advancing the element 18 a predetermined distance relative thereto, and the element 18 may be latched in its selected position to retain the spring 21 in its compressed condition. The casting device is fired by manipulation of the lever 23, as hereinafter described, whereby the element 18 is released.

The tubular member 2 forms the handle of the casting device. An elongated hollow body 24, which is connected to one side of the tubular member 2, provides a support for a reel, designated generally by the numeral 25, which is removably connected thereto.

The lever 23 is disposed partly in the hollow body 24, and is pivotally connected thereto by a pin 26. The pin 26 is connected at its ends to the sides of the body 24. A coil spring 27, which surrounds the pin 26, acts upon the lever 23 and the body 24 to yieldably urge the detent, which is formed on one end of the lever 23 and extends through an opening provided therefor in the tubular member 2, in engagement with one of the annular grooves 22 of the element 18. The opposite end of the lever 23 extends outwardly beyond one end of the body 24, and has a finger grip formed thereon for use in latching and releasing the element 18.

As shown in Figure 1, a finger grip 28 is attached to one side of the element 18, and extends outwardly there from, at right angles to the lever 23, through a longitudinal slot 29 formed in the tubular member 2. A finger grip 30, for use in conjunction with the finger grip 28 to advance the element 18 relative to the spring 21, is attached to the side of the tubular member 2 adjacent one end of the slot 29.

A plug 31, which has a central bore 32 therein, is externally threaded at one end, as at 33, for engagement by the end of the tubular member 3 opposite the connecting member 4. An elongated rod 34, which is received in the bore 32 of the plug 31, is disposed partly in the tubular member 3 and extends outwardly beyond the plug 31.

An elongated rod 35, which is substantially coextensive with the cylinder 12, is connected at one end to the piston 13 whereby the rod 35 is reciprocable in the cylinder 12. The rod 35 is connected at its opposite end, by a coupling 36, to a stem 37 which is formed integrally with the adjacent end of the rod 34.

A compression spring 38, which surrounds the stem 37, acts upon a flange 39 formed on the adjacent end of the coupling 36, and a washer 40 surrounding the stem 37 and positioned between the spring 38 and a shoulder formed by the adjacent end of the rod 34, to absorb shock upon impact of the washer 40 against the plug 31, which limits longitudinal movcmentof the rods 34 and 35 in response to gas pressure acting upon the piston 13.

A lug 41 extends radially inwardly fro-m the wall of the bore 32, adjacent the outer extremity of the plug 31, for engagement with a longitudinal groove 42 formed in the rod 34, to prevent the rod 34 from turning.

A fitting 43, which is attached to the outer end of the rod 34 and forms an extension thereof, is externally threaded at its outer end, as at 44, and has a central bore 45 formed therein, beginning at its outer end. The bore 45 communicates at its inner end with an inclined passage 1 the plug is capable of attaching itself to the fitting 43 upon reeling in the line 47. An eye 48 is attached to the outer end of the tubular member 3 for engagement by an intermediate portion of the line 47.

The plug shown in Figures 1 and 2 has a body 49 having a central bore 50 formed therein, beginning at one end thereof, adapted to be received on the outer end of the fitting 43. A swivel 51, which is secured in the bore 50, is attached to the adjacent end of the line 47, so that upon reeling in the line 47 the plug is capable of attaching itself to the fitting 43.

The plug shown in Figure 3 has a body 52 having a screw 53 inserted in one end thereof. A pin 54, which is receivable in the bore 45 of the fitting 43, is connected by a swivel 55 to the outer end of the screw 53. The opposite end of the pin 54 is attached to the adjacent end of the line 47.

The plug shown in Figure 4 has a body 56 having a screw 57 inserted in one end thereof. A pin 58, which comprises an outward extension of the screw 57, is receivable in the bore 45 of the fitting 43. The outer end of the pin 58 is attached to the adjacent end of the line 47.

The plug shown in Figure 6 has a body 59 which is pivotally connected at one end to one end of a pin 60, which is receivable in the bore 45 of the fitting 43. The opposite end of the pin 60 is attached to the adjacent end of the line 47. The body 59 is suspended from its connected end, and is additionally supported upon a spoon shaped holder 61, which is rigidly connected at its upper end, by a bracket 62, to an internally threaded tubular fitting 63 which is attached to the outer end of the fitting 43.

The plug shown in Figure 7 has a body 64 which is supported upon a spoon shaped holder 65. The holder 65 is rigidly connected intermediate its ends, by an internally threaded tubular portion 66 formed integrally therewith, to the outer end of the fitting 43. The body 64 is pivotally connected at one end to one end of a pin 67, which is receivable in a sleeve 68 rigidly connected to the upper end of the holder 65. The body 64 is suspended from its connected end, and is additionally supported upon the holder 65. The opposite end of the pin 67 is attached to the adjacent end of the line 47.

In each of the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 4, upon firing the casting device a longitudinal thrust is imparted by the fitting 43 to a plug supported upon the fitting 43 in longitudinal alignment therewith and abutting relationship thereto, to thereby catapult the plug from the casting device. In the arrangements shown in Figures 5 to 7 the longitudinal thrust is imparted to a holder for the plug, which is positioned transversely relative to the fitting 43 in abutting relationship to the side of the plug. The arrangements shown in Figures 5 to 7 are particularly useful in connection with the smaller plugs.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A fishing plug casting device comprising a tubular housing having a gas chamber in one end thereof for the storage of gas under pressure, a first plug in the adjacent end of the housing forming a closure therefor and having a valved opening therein for the introduction of gas under pressure, a second plug in the housing intermediate its ends defining the gas chamber, an elongated cylinder in the housing communicating with the gas chamber through a fluid passage extending diagonally through the second plug and terminating in openings in opposite ends of the plug spaced laterally relative to each other, a valve in the gas chamber adapted to be seated in the opening in the adjacent end of the second plug, a valve stem having one of its ends connected to the valve and extending through an opening therefor in the second plug, in parallel relation to the cylinder, the valve being normally closed due to the pressure dififerential on opposite sides thereof, a cylindrical element in the housing surrounding and slidably engaging the cylinder, the cylindrical element having a plurality of longitudinally spaced annular grooves in its peripheral surface, a compression spring surrounding the cylinder and acting upon the cylindrical element and the cylinder to advance the cylindrical element relative to the valve stem, to open the valve, upon advancing the cylindrical element relative to the spring, to compress the spring, and thereafter releasing the cylindrical element, a spring biased lever pivotallyconnected intermediate its ends to the housing, exteriorly thereof, and having a detent on one of its ends extending through an opening therefor in the housing and capable of selectively and releasably engaging one of the annular grooves of the cylindrical element where by the cylindrical element is retained in one of several advanced positions relative to the spring, a finger grip on the cylindrical element and operable outside the housing to advance the cylindrical element relative to the spring, a piston reciprocable in the cylinder, a first rod substantially co-extensive with the cylinder and connected at one end to the piston, a second rod connected to the opposite end of the first rod and extending outwardly beyond the end of the housing opposite the first plug, the outwardly extending portion of the second rod being adapted to engage a fishing plug and cast it in response to the action of gas pressure acting on the surrounding the second rod, and resilient means on the rods for engagement with the third plug to limit the longitudinally outward movement of the rods.

2. In combination with a fishing plug casting device as described in claim 1, a fitting on the outer end of the second rod capable of loosely supporting a fishing plug in abutting relationship thereto.

3. In combination with a fishing plug casting device as described in claim 1, a fishing plug, a fishing line connected at one end to the plug, a reel for the line operatively connected to the housing, and a fitting on the outer end of the second rod for engagement by the plug and capable of loosely supporting the plug in abutting relation thereto, the fitting having a passage therein for the line and the plug having means coacting with the fitting whereby the plug is adapted to be supported on the fitting, in firing position, upon reeling in the line.

4. In combination with a fishing plug casting device as described in claim 1, a fishing plug, a fishing line connected at one end to the plug, a reel for the line operatively connected to the housing, and means loosely supporting the plug on the outer end of the second rod in abutting relation thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 997,730 Aten July 11, 1911 1,191,877 Dickey July 18, 1916 2,605,569 Kronhaus et al. Aug. 5, 1952 2,823,482 Kremski Feb. 18, 1958 

